Mystery Week Starts in Portsmouth Tomorrow

As the weather turns colder, it’s time to cozy up with a good mystery. Who doesn’t love the original deductive sleuth, Sherlock Holmes? This month, we’ll celebrate this famous investigator, and the power of mystery stories! Join us Nov. 18 – 23 for some Mystery Week fun! All events will be held in the Levenson Community Room.

cityofportsmouth.com/library/mysteryweek.htm

Mystery Week for Adults

(Not So) Elementary, My Dear Watson: The Popularity of Sherlock Holmes

Lecture | Tuesday November 18 | 6:30 PM

Join presenter Ann McClellan as she explores the history of this beloved character. Over the past century, Sherlockians created societies like the Baker Street Irregulars, wrote articles sussing out the “sources” of Arthur Conan Doyle’s works, and developed an entire online world of Holmesian fan fiction. Sherlock Holmes is now a multi-million dollar industry. McClellan explores the origins of Sherlock Holmes and tracks his incarnations in literature, film, advertising, and modern media in order to crack the case of the world’s most popular detective.

The Hound of the Baskervilles [1959]

Film | Wednesday November 19 | 6:30 PM

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate a murder on a family’s estate. No rating, 86 min.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Film | Thursday November 20 | 6:30 PM

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room, until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large, Professor James Moriarty, and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective. Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. Rated PG-13, 129 min.

Chat with Author Laurie King!

Author Talk | Saturday November 22 | 2:00 PM

Laurie King, author of the imaginative and popular Mary Russell-Sherlock Holmes stories (from The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, named one of the 20th century’s best crime novels by the IMBA, to 2014’s Dreaming Spies), will visit the library via Skype! King will be joined by fellow Sherlock Holmes authority Les Klinger, editor of The New Annotated Sherlock Holmes. King and Klinger will read from their work, and will hold a Q&A. RiverRun Bookstore will have books available for purchase. This is an event you don’t want to miss!

Family Friendly Mystery Events

Real Life Mysteries with Detective Duane Jacques

Thursday November 20 | 3 PM

Hang out with local police detective Duane Jacques as he talks about solving crimes in the real world. Then, help him crack the case of the damaged book using fingerprinting techniques! Ages 9+.

Family Film - Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Friday November 21 | 3:30 PM

Saturday November 22 | 11:00 AM

Sunday November 23 | 2:00 PM

Set in Cincinnati at the height of the Great Depression, Kit Kittredge, a resourceful young girl, turns sleuth after her mother’s lockbox gets stolen from their boarding house. Kit’s new hobo friend Will is the prime suspect. Kit refuses to believe that Will would steal, and her efforts to sniff out the real story get her and her friends into trouble. Rated G, 101 min.

Submitted text. Courtesy photo.